17: Mind Your Mindset: Interview with Don Jackson

Being a business owner can mean doing scary things that fall outside of our comfort zones.

A lot.

There's the insecurity that comes before launch, wondering if anyone cares about what you provide— whether that's a product, service or blog post:

Why would anyone read this? I'm not an expert.There are other people that do this better than I do.Is anyone really going to buy this? People could make it themselves if they wanted.
I really don't think what I do is good enough for “real” companies.

Then there's the realization that you're the one in charge. You set the goals, the deadlines, the hours, the quality control and the accountability. There's no passing the buck; your decisions are your own, and you're the one dealing with the successes or issues that result from them.

Add to that the fact that in order to succeed, you always need to be doing new things— seeking new clients, learning and implementing new marketing techniques or technical processes, developing improved products, figuring out how to allow room in your schedule for business growth while retaining a personal life.

Sometimes, it can feel like you're just bumbling along and it's only a matter of time before you make a catastrophic, business killing mistake. And so you start delaying the things that you need to do.

“You, most of the time, are the reason why your business succeeds and fails.

A lot of times the reason why your business fails is because you don't think you belong in the game.”

-Don Jackson

We are here to tell you that you are not alone. In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, we tackle three common mindset issues for entrepreneurs— imposter syndrome, a feeling of overwhelm, and the paralysis caused by the fear of moving forward— and how to navigate your business through them.

We're joined by the man that we affectionately refer to as Dr. Producer Don. Don Jackson is our producer on the Businessese podcast, and he really is a doctor: Don earned his doctorate in both Philosophy and Forensic Psychology from Harvard University. You may know him from the Dad Spotlight podcast, or from his blog, Daddy Newbie, but you may not have known that before embracing his role as Dad he worked as a forensic psychologist.

Don brings his expertise to the conversation as we discuss:

the characteristics of someone operating under a fear mindset

what to do and how to deal when you encounter a roadblock

how to avoid getting stuck in the research phase of a project

struggling with imposter syndrome, as a parent and as a business owner

active steps people can take to combat imposter syndrome

the most important quality in an accountability partner

what to do when you feel like no one is interested in what you have to say.

“Sometimes I'll walk into a room and I'll most likely be the smartest guy in the room, but there's times when I feel like the dumbest guy in the room. And that has nothing to do with anybody in the room; it has everything to do with me.”

-Don Jackson

Listen in for Don's advice on changing limiting mindsets when it comes to your business. Then stop the negative self-talk, get out of your own way and make this your year for unlimited success!

What personal mindset has been holding you back? Let's talk about it over in Businessese HQ, our private Facebook group for entrepreneurs and online business owners.